“It boils down to visibility in the end”: We talk to Marcus Morgan about CaBiRet
Following the success of CaBiRet in October, and with whispers on the wind of another event in the new year, we caught up with Marcus Morgan of the Bisexual Index to find out how CaBiRet came about – and what we can hope for in the future.
Hello Marcus. Let’s get right down to business. How did the idea for CaBiRet come about?
As August progressed I found myself looking ahead to Bisexual Visibility Day. Looking ahead but not so much looking forward. I realised that although there were things planned for the launch of the book I’d been involved with, Purple Prose, I didn’t have any bisexual events I could go to for Bi Visibility Day itself.
There wasn’t anything in London on the day?
That’s right. And not just geographically – the sort of event I would want to go to wasn’t happening. I have very fond… Continue reading
Bisexual Pride Flag Flies Over Camden Town Hall
The bisexual pride flag was today raised over a London council building for the first time.
Nadia Shah, who was appointed Mayor of Camden in May 2016, hoisted the flag in a small ceremony on the roof of Camden Town Hall at 1oam today. The ceremony was attended by members of the Bisexual Index and Camden LGBT Forum as well as local activists and civic staff.
Mayor Nadia Shah addresses the crowd
The flag has been flown at Council buildings in Brighton and Hove since 2012, but other councils have been reluctant to follow suit. This year, just five further councils (including Camden) – out of more than 410 – have chosen to follow suit.
The Bisexual Index told Biscuit, “a lot of councils have told us that they fly the rainbow flag for gay pride, and that we’re included in that. But bisexuals… Continue reading
What’s Happening in the UK for Bi Visibility Day
Here’s Biscuit’s guide to the events celebrating Bisexual Visibility Day throughout the UK. Looking for a bi event near you? look no further!
Warm up for Bisexual Visibility Day on 14th September at INCITE!@Phoenix, where LGBT Poet Laureate Trudy Howson hosts professional and amateur poets and chats to poets Genevieve L Walsh and Sven Stears. Of course, the theme of this INCITE! is bisexuality.
On 20th September ParliOUT hosts Purple Prose editor Kate Harrad and bi activist and poet Jacq Applebee for a Lunch and Learn for LGBT parliamentary staff in Westminster.
In Bolton, you’ll find a display packed with information at Bolton Library. The display will remain in place until 26th September so pop down for a look!
In Southampton on 22nd September Bi Wessex hosts an informal networking event at Cafe Momento.
Also on 22nd in Central London, OUTstanding hosts… Continue reading
CaBiRet – An Evening of the Bisexual Variety
On 2nd October the Cavendish Arms, Stockwell, hosts an evening of cabaret with a distinctly bisexual flavour.
Your host is bisexual magician and Biscuit fave Marcus Morgan, with other acts TBA. Doors 7.30, but the pub will be serving food from 5pm. Come along, share a laugh (or a groan) and indulge in an evening of entertainment where bisexuality is the norm, not the (begrudging) exception.
The event is free, but bring a long a coin or too as donations will be collected for various bisexual causes.
Calling Bisexual Poets!
INCITE@The Phoenix WC2 is putting out a call to all bisexual poets to come to, perform at and enjoy our September Celebration of Bisexuality on Wed 14th September – just in time for bi visibility day.We are looking for established poets for a 20 min guest spot, and all types of poet for our open mic section.
In September our theme is: Who Why and How we are.
INCITE is a free monthly LGBT Poetry event supported by Camden LGBT Forum. It showcases poetry as diverse as our community, in an iconic West London venue.
Please check out our facebook page INCITE poetry or contact me, Trudy, by emailing lgbtpoetlaureate@gmail.com
Event: “Identity v Misbehaviour: Miscommunication Between Lesbian & Bi Women”
Friday 25th September
Goldsmiths, University of London
SE14 6NW
6.30-8.30pm
Run by Gracey Morgan for the Goldsmiths LGBTQ* Society
Marking Bi-Visibility Day by bringing together leading bi activists, writers, thinkers, and community leaders to discuss this important topic.
Speakers include:
Prof. Surya Monro – A leading academic specialising in sexuality
Jacqueline Applebee – Renowned writer and poet
Elaine McKenzie – Prioprietor of Glass Bar Events
Faith Cheltenham- President of BiNet USA
Hopefully we will touch on questions such as:
▼ “Why is there such a big separation within the LGBTQ Community, especially among lesbian and bi women of color?”
▼ “Why is there so much distrust between lesbian women and bisexual women?”
▼ “Why do some lesbian sisters within the LGBT community still continue to ostracise their bi sisters?”
▼ “When did communications began breaking down between the two?
▼ “Are there similarities/differences between the two, and does identity… Continue reading
LGBT* in UKIP Gatecrashes Pride
Pride in London is courting controversy once again, by allowing UKIP to march in the Parade that was held in the West End on Saturday.
UKIP, a far-right political party whose members have been outspoken in their racism and homophobia, had their application to march in the parade controversially turned down by the Pride in London committee following an outcry by the LGBT community. The committee insisted the decision was not made on political grounds but in the name of safety.
In December, Kerry Smith, standing for UKIP South Basildon and East Thurrock resigned from his candidacy after calling gay people ‘fucking disgusting old poofters’. In February the group UKIP Christian Soldiers, authorised by UKIP HQ circulated leaflets that claimed educating school children on LGBT issues was ‘sexual grooming’.
Approximately 15 LGBT* in UKIP activists – who had not paid the fee required to take part in the parade,… Continue reading
You Didn't Hear it from Us 13/6/15
Here’s a round-up of some of the news, blogs posts and comment we missed this week.
- Patrick Strudwick wrote about the cons of banning UKIP from London Pride
- We watched an awesome vid on the history of queerness in DC Comics
- A quest was made to define sexual fluidity
- Lesli-Ann Lewis wrote in Ebony about the dominance of cis white women in feminism
- Miley Cyrus talked about coming out
- We read this thought provoking essay on racism on the gay scene
- The UK’s ‘fastrack’ asylum appeals system was deemed unlawful.
Did we miss any other must-see stories? Let us know in comments…
Image: “Actress Laverne Cox at The Paley Center For Media’s PaleyFest 2014 Honoring “Orange Is The New Black”” by Dominic D. Shared under CC BY 2.0. Via Wikimedia Commons.
Being Bi – My First Pride
I’m 9 years old. Some friends and I play “Mummies and Daddies”. It turns into a campaign at school of calling me a dyke and a lesbian. I don’t understand – I have crushes on both men and women, but assume puberty will establish a preference.
I’m 17 years old. One night at a classmate’s house, she strokes my waist, she feels different to the lone boy I’ve kissed so far. Her boyfriend watches from a chair. After a while, she leaps away without warning, begins to cry and… Continue reading →